Typical "Can I get into Med School?" Question

[StBernardsRule]

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[aSagacious]

Welcome to SDN,

Never too late for a career change, we've got members here that are in their late 30s that have successfully made the switch. Thankfully your GPA coming into the process is good, so you won't have to get caught up in GPA repair.

I would recommend taking all of your pre-reqs prior to taking the MCAT. Some folks try take the last of their prereqs concurrently while preparing for the exam. However, it would be difficult to take full-length practice exams in advance if you haven't learned the material yet.

Instead, I suggest taking two years of pre-reqs (including summers), while participating in a variety of ECs (volunteering, shadowing, community involvement, etc). Try to finish up your pre-reqs by the fall semester of your application year (so, this year: summer, fall; year 2: spring, summer, fall). In the spring of 2013, devote most of your time to MCAT preparation while continuing ECs and taking a couple upper-level science courses. I'd say shoot for an MCAT date some time in April 2013 (or early May at the latest).

You will then be left with a 'glide year' while you are waiting to hear back from schools. What you choose to do over this year is entirely up to you, just make sure you're being productive (just in case the application cycle is less-than-successful). You could continue to take a few more upper-level science courses, participate in research, find a health-related job, etc.

 

[StBernardsRule]

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[aSagacious]

I'm just quite worried I won't be able to get all the lab classes done within two years, since it seems so hard to be able to get the classes.

Well, should you choose to take the classes at your alma mater, I think you'll be able to squeeze into the classes. At my school, for example, seniors/post-baccalaureate students get high priority in choosing their classes (ie, before underclassmen), and nobody can even begin to register for summer classes until early April. I suggest looking up the registration window for whichever school you decide to attend and sign up for your classes at the earliest possible date. Even if you are too slow, though, the professors at my school were very understanding and often provided me with overrides into their classes despite the class being full already (simply explain your situation and many professors will help you out).

PS - Though paying for your upcoming tuition with poker money is questionable (I won't argue), paying for med school tuition with poker money is simply stupid. Unless you have all of the money in your pocket already, I suggest going the more conventional route and simply taking out a loan.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm currently 24 and I've tried really hard to keep my options open. Long story short, I graduated from UCLA with a 3.74 in 2009 and have been playing online poker semi-professionally while taking additional classes ever since. I planned on entering the business world and becoming a CPA (have been preparing to take the 4 necessary exams), and was going to be most likely hired later this year after completing the exams.

I've always been interested in the field of medicine. I didn't pursue it when I first started college basically because I had no idea what I wanted to do and was only 18. I thought my goal was to play poker professionally, but despite some success have found it very unrewarding and simply want to keep it as a part time hobby rather than a full time job.

How possible would it be for me to take the pre-requisite classes I need over the next 2 years, take the MCATs, then get into med-school at 26-27? I have minimal work experience and have not volunteered, but would start volunteering as quickly as possible over the next two years. I'm honestly much more worried about being able to actually get the classes with labs I need than doing well on the MCATs (largely because I would study very hard over the next year or so), but maybe that's backwards.

What is your GPA for the on-line classes you took?

You are clear that the science prerequisites with lab need to be taken in a brick and mortar school, right?

If money is no object, you might look into a formal postbac program which comes with all the needed classwork, good counseling, MCAT prep, EC opportunities, expert LOR writers, and sometimes a linkage directly to a med school if you perform very well. See SDN's Postbaccalaureate Programs Forum for more info, specifically Dr Midlife's sticky at the top.

 

[aSagacious]

if money is no object, you might look into a formal postbac program...see sdn's postbaccalaureate programs forum for more info, specifically dr midlife's sticky at the top.

+1

 

[StBernardsRule]

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[aSagacious]

Yes, you will need the following courses (at least):
- Bio I, II w/lab
- Chem I, II w/lab
- Orgo I, II w/lab
- Physics I, II w/lab
- 1 year of math (calc I,II or calc I/stats)
- 1 year of writing

...I'm assuming that your business degree already took care of the math and writing requirements, so that will leave you 8-10 classes (depending on how many classes have the labs built in, or if the labs are a separate class).

As far as UC-Berkeley specifically, you might find some information within the 'post-bac' sub-forum helpful (specifically, the two stickies at the top). I'm sure there are reviews for that particular program in there.

 

[Catalystik]

Also keep in mind that many programs want you to have Biochem, more each year, as well as a few upper-level Bio. Others have odd requirements/recommendations like 3 behavioral science courses, etc. So it's important to know what the other expectations might be for schools you specifically would target with applications.

 

[aSagacious]

Also keep in mind that many programs want you to have Biochem, more each year, as well as a few upper-level Bio

Oh yes, I forgot to mention this. Swarthmore was kind enough to construct an exhaustive list of 'advanced science requirements' (some of which are not strictly requirements, but strong recommendations):
http://www.swarthmore.edu/Documents/slife/pre_med/Advanced_Science_Requirements.pdf

 

[Catalystik]

Nice summary list, aSagacious. Thanks for sharing.

 

[StBernardsRule]

Thanks again guys. I'll probably check out other sections of the forums.